The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) is proud to announce Nicholas and Celeste Barry of Pearl City as the winners of its EXTREME Xeriscape Garden Makeover contest. The Barry family is the lucky recipient of a $20,000 garden makeover using the principles of xeriscaping, which helps to conserve water through efficient landscaping. The announcement was made today at a yard breaking ceremony at the family's home on Ahapule Street. The garden makeover is expected to take about a month to complete.

"We are very excited to have been chosen for this project," said Celeste Barry. "We have two little kids who will benefit the most from a nice new yard to play in. It's also going to help us save money on our water bill."

The Barry Family.  Nicholas and Celeste Barry with Holly (Japanese Spitz), Blaise (4 years) and China (3 weeks).

Steve's Gardening Service, one of the contest's key sponsors and the landscape architect doing the installation and design, will be using xeriscape concepts in the Barry family's garden to take advantage of natural climate conditions and to make efficient use of irrigation. Some of the principles include growing plants that don't need a lot of water to survive, using mulch, and installing proper irrigation. Incorporating xeriscape techniques not only helps to conserve water, but it also saves consumers money.

"We estimate that about half of the water consumption in the average single-family home is used outdoors," said Cliff Lum, BWS Manager and Chief Engineer. "Using xeriscaping techniques in gardens can save 30 to 80 percent in water consumption, which leads to lower water bills - and, most importantly, the preservation of Oahu's most precious natural resource."

The BWS also announced Richard Sanderson of Mililani as the second place winner of the contest. Sanderson will receive two trees in 24-inch boxes, which he will select from the BWS "Oahu Planting Guide."

The garden makeover contest was held in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the BWS Halawa Xeriscape Garden Open House and Unthirsty Plant Sale in August. It was made possible by the BWS, in partnership with Steve's Gardening Service Inc, Rain Bird, and Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden. For more information on xeriscaping, please visit www.boardofwatersupply.com or call the BWS Communications Office at 748-5041.